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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Git along, little 'doggies

It's a wild week here at Blog Central, and we're running a little behind with this week's lines in our charity pro football underdog game. Our official oddsmaker has found himself in the same boat. But now he's come through with this week's slate of games, and heeeeeere it is! The underdogs are in caps:

As ever, the object is to choose one 'dog to win its game outright (without benefit of the point spread). If you're right, you get the number of points your team was predicted to lose by. The seasons standings to date are here.

Players choosing the Saints (who did not come marching in last weekend) must have their pick to us by kickoff time tomorrow. For all other games, the deadline is 10:00 a.m. PST Sunday. We're at Week 13 and long overdue for a big hit or two. Good luck to our crew with the 'dognostication.

Just a reminder that when our game wraps up in late January, we've got $1,340 for charity, and our winning players (the top five of our 42) will get to say which charities get the moolah. Winning never felt so good -- okay, maybe Powerball winning...

Comments (2)

Injuries all around the NFL make this a very tough week to pick up an underdog to win.

Best Bets
(Last week: 0-1; Overall: 7-9 (.438))

PITTSBURGH (+3) at Baltimore -- Pittsburgh's NFL-leading defense is crushing opponents, and stuffed the Ravens two weeks ago, losing only because of a punt return TD by the Ravens. Steelers veteran QB Batch won't have a second bad game in a row, and the Steelers OL is healthy, getting their #1 draft choice, Stanford's David DiCastro, back for this game. The Ravens are not as good as their record of wins & losses. Their defense is crippled and leaking badly. Look for the Steelers to hit lots of slant routes, and dinks & dunks under offensive coordinator Todd Haley's savvy play calls, with a lot of good play-action, and the early establishment of a good run game early. The Steelers will will the turnover battle, their bugaboo last week.

Pittsburgh also knows how to win in Baltimore, in this, the NFL's most heated rivalry. Bottom line on why the Steelers go into Baltimore and upset the Ravens? Two words: Polamalu's back!

INDIANAPOLIS (+4.5) at Detriot -- The key to this game will be who can best establish a running game to make their great passing more effective? My bets on the Colts who are overcoming all odds this year and are on a roll, giddy with playoff fever, but focused on winning one for their Gipper, Coach Chuck Pagano, who's been away from the sidelines this year in a battle against cancer. Heck, even the Colts' cheerleaders have shaved their heads in solidarity and support. This organization is together! The Lions definitely are not. A cast of individuals and one big jerk anti-social defensive lineman with an anger problem. No wonder they're an even bigger disappointment in this NFL season than the Eagles.

Upset Special
(Last week: 1-0; Overall 6-6 (.500))

TAMPA BAY (+8) at Denver -- Key injuries make the other big 'dogs (Philly, Minn., St. Louis) prohibitive picks this week. Go with Tampa Bay on the road in Denver. The Buc's are one of the hottest teams in the NFL at this point in the season, and they're 5-0 against the spread on the road this year. It's not a stretch to see them pulling this one out straight up. Denver's got a playoff spot locked up and could easily have a let down game even though Peyton's playing like a man possessed by the spirit of Norm Van Brocklin.

Gamblers Cornier --

MIAMI (+9) vs. New England -- Why not? That's why it's called gambling. Maybe the sun will get in the Patriots eyes. Or something. Crazier things have happened. Miami rookie QB Ray Tannehill would love to win this game against Tom Brady. I'm rooting for him and the Dolphins.

Road Work

Miles run year to date: 45
At this date last year: 117
Total run in 2016: 155
In 2015: 271
In 2014: 401
In 2013: 257
In 2012: 129
In 2011: 113
In 2010: 125
In 2009: 67
In 2008: 28
In 2007: 113
In 2006: 100
In 2005: 149
In 2004: 204
In 2003: 269